Motorworks Brewing debuts cans of coffee porter

Brewmaster Bob Haa Jr.'s obsession with beer is possibly surpassed by his devotion to coffee. He roasts the beans that he uses to make Midnight Espresso Coffee Porter. The 6.5 percent ale features dark-roasted Sumatra beans and lighter roasted Sulawesi beans.

The beer, which has only been available on draft, will be sold in four packs of 16-ounce cans starting at 5 p.m. Friday at the brewery, 1014 9th St. W. in Bradenton. The four packs will cost $10.99. They will be available year round along with Motorworks other canned brews throughout the greater Tampa Bay area soon.

"It's been a long time coming," Motorworks marketing director Barry Elwonger said today. People have been asking for this beer in cans, he said, and they wanted to do it right.

Why 16-ounce cans? "It's a beer I want to drink by the pint," he said. The larger cans will also stand out from other beers on the shelf.

To mark the debut, Motorworks will also be offering four special treatments of Midnight Espresso at the event:

And you can also pick up some of the roasted coffee beans to make your own coffee.

Motorworks gave me an advance four-pack (thanks!) to taste, and it's quite good. The coffee flavors balance well with the roasted notes from the malted grain. The beer has a creamy body that further accentuates the coffee aspects.

Alan Shaw

Alan Shaw has been a fan of craft beer since the 1990s. He is partial to hops and has been an editor at the Herald-Tribune since 1997. He can be reached at (941) 361-4914, by email or mail at 1741 Main St., Sarasota, FL 34236. Follow him at @alancshaw on Twitter and on Facebook.

Last modified: July 28, 2016
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